In 1959, when the colourful neon sign reading "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" went up, only a few hotels dotted what's now commonly referred to as the Strip. Today, Las Vegas certainly lives up to its fabulous and famous reputation.

While gambling is front and centre in Las Vegas, it doesn’t wholly represent the city. Lately, gambling has accounted for less than half the money visitors spend here. When you come to Las Vegas, you’ll find plenty of other great things to do – from dining and shopping to outdoor recreation and much more.

When the Bellagio resort opened in 1998, with spectacular fountains and man-made lake, it set a new standard for Vegas properties. There are now hundreds of five-star restaurants here, numerous world-class shows (including the Cirque du Soleil show “O”) and incredible shopping promenades boasting names such as Dior, Prada and Tiffany & Co.

Once famous for its bargain-priced, all-you-can-eat buffets, the city is now home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than larger cities like Los Angeles. That said, nearly every hotel here still offers a buffet serving great food at great value. But no matter what you want to eat or what atmosphere you prefer, you’ll find a range of eateries perfectly suited to your tastes and budget.

What's new in Las Vegas for 2019? From restaurants grand openings to exciting shows there is no lack of entertainment in Sin City.

Restaurants New and Upcoming

• Best Friend from Chef Roy Choi, a pioneer of the food truck movement in LA opened a Koreatown-inspired in December at Park MGM (see press release attached)

• La La Noodle had it’s debut in November 2018 at Park MGM serving authentic Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai cuisine  https://www.parkmgm.com/en/restaurants/la-la-noodle.html

• Mott 32 opened at the Venetian featuring award-winning traditional and contemporary Chinese https://www.venetian.com/restaurants/mott-32.html

• On The Record (OTR) will debut on New Year’s Eve at Park MGM featuring a unique speakeasy and 11,000 square-foot club experience https://www.parkmgm.com/en/nightlife/on-the-record.html

• Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s Eataly join’s the lineup at Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas December 2018

• Smith & Wollensky will return to the Las Vegas Strip calling the Grand Canal Shoppes home in spring 2019 https://www.smithandwollensky.com/construction-underway-new-sw-las-vegas-venetian/

New and Exciting Shows:

• Gwen Stefani headlines her “Just a Girl” show inside Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

• Masters of Illusion, the hit CW television series and America's largest touring magic show, has debuted a thrilling live stage show in the Jubilee Theater at Bally's Las Vegas featuring magicians Jason Bird, Farrell Dillon, Greg Gleason, Chris Randall, and Tommy Wind 

• Inferno, the Fire Spectacular, led by European illusionist Joe Labero and fire, pyro and aerial group The Fuel Girls launched at the Paris Theater in 2018

• WOW at Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino is a water entertainment spectacular with breathtaking acrobatics, dazzling choreography, thrilling theatrical lighting, magnificent music and even finalists from America’s Got Talent.

• OPIUM, the new show at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas from the creators of Absinthe, opened in March 2018

• Lady Gaga takes the stage at The  Park Theater at Park MGM in Las Vegas beginning in December 2018 for a two-year engagement

Shows Coming Soon:

• In 2019, Kind Heaven will open at the LINQ Promenade. As the result of a partnership between Perry Farrell and Caesars entertainment, the experience will combine leading technology and Hollywood-style storytelling. Kind Heaven will offer the best of Southeast Asian culture, music and food.

• Criss Angel will unveil an over-the-top visual spectacular unlike any other in existence – Criss Angel MINDFREAK®, in the newly-renamed Criss Angel Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino opening Dec. 19, 2018.

Downtown & Freemont Street:

• Golden Gate Hotel & Casino completed a major expansion; the renovation includes a casino floor nearly doubled in size, a majestic grand entrance, and an extension of its outdoor bar

• The Underground made its debut at the Mob Museum in 2018, a permanent prohibition history exhibition featuring working speakeasy and distillery

Outdoor Experiences:

• Sundance Helicopters now offers Heli & Outdoor Adventures tour that includes a photo opp at the Hoover Dam and an adventure upgrade to ATV tours of the Colorado River

• Grand Canyon Helicopters is launching Heli & Whitewater Rafting tours along Colorado River

• Rail Explorers, featuring pedal-powered rail bikes, unveiled its Las Vegas operation in historic Boulder City in 2018

• Fly LINQ is now open and the first zipline on the Las Vegas Strip. The approximately $20 million Fly LINQ features 10 side-by-side zip lines on The LINQ Promenade.

Wellness

• Las Vegas boasts more than 50 of the finest resort spas and thousands of wellness treatments including ultra-luxurious treatment rooms; private spa suite packages; individual, couple and group experiences; adventure and ecotourism-spa combos; fine dining; and spa pairings

• The Wynn Plaza opened a SoulCycle studio in November 2018; a 62-bike studio with illuminated lighting synced to playlists

• Las Vegas is home to five Forbes 5-star spas, including: ESPA at Vdara, The Spa at Encore Las Vegas, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas, and The Spa at Wynn Las Vegas

• The city also boasts unique accommodations such as the MGM Grand’s “Stay Well” Suites for wellness-minded travelers and extended stay suites for relaxation as well as recovery and recuperation

• In addition to luxury fitness centers, Las Vegas offers an array of original fitness classes including dolphin yoga at the Mirage, take a helicopter to the top of the Valley of Fire for a private session atop breathtaking rock formations and a quick yoga session on the High Roller 550 feet above the Las Vegas Strip

Contact Newwest Travel to start planning your Vegas escape!

Information provided by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority